Thursday, November 18, 2010

My Winter Holidays

Where are you guys going for your Winter vacation?
Last Winter , I went skiing and ice sledging in the mountains of Korea. Remember how I met the Korean celebrity on the plane? I really had whale of a great time with my friends during that trip.
Guess where I have planned for my Winter holidays next month?

I have booked a trip to go hiking in the alps of Borneo Island on Christmas Eve! I have started my rigorous training daily by taking long walks from 5km till 10km. I also went back to my condo and ran up and down 22 floors besides taking big strides like 3-4 steps per climb. My groins and knees are aching and killing me now.

- You get to see 4,500 species of plant, 326 species of birds and 100 species of mammalian species besides Orang Utans
- The world's largest flower Rafflesia is there

- Mount Kinabalu is closer to heavens compared to Kuala Lumpur- I might see Santa Claus waiting at the peak on X'mas Eve

The beginning will be trekking through miles of thick tropical jungles in winter jacket attire! The steps are so steep for miles! I will have to sleep for 1 night half way, somewhere! There will be 1 hired guide to lead us all the way up and down with more guides to carry my bags, water and cosmetics!

The next morning at 2:00 am, will be the 2nd part which will be all rocks scaling till the peak. So dangerous and exciting like a Fear Factor sequence. I will need to have bigger lungs, stronger arms and legs! The air gets thinner and thinner up there.

I must train hard and not freak out later!

Have you ever hiked to Mt Kinabalu?
Please advise me what else to do!

I have to reach the peak before sunrise to plant my "Twilight" flag there! After camwhoring NSEW, we all have to hurry and climb down fast before the sun burns and incinerate me to ashes!

Whooa! Rushing down all the way in tight ropes like this is slippery and so frightening. I might have to increase my insurance coverage!

I stole all these photos from internet and wonder if the above photo is stained with snow falls? I have no idea.

I had been there. I didn't make it to the peak. I was sick before I went there and went there right after I healed.

1. Training - you're doing pretty good. 2. Pair of good hiking shoes.3. Waterproof gloves.4. Chocolate - put in your side pocket and munch it all the way. Don't worry about fat first if you wanna make it to the peak. 5. Glucose - I just poured one spoon amount of glucose powder into my mouth and I got all energized. 6. Raincoat - I was LUCKY enough to bring that. 7. Just pay the potter to carry your bag. You can afford it. (Which I didn't do and now I'm regret). 8. Buy the stick (tongkat) they sell to rest yourself all the way through.9. One 500ml water bottle, refill the mountain water all the way up. 10. Rest well!

A word of advice - do not rush when you climb up. Climb at your own pace. A friend of mine rushed and she ended up so sick that she had to be carried down!

When she returned to KL, she found out she lost some part of her memory!! A visit to doctor revealed that the lack of oxygen at the top of Mt Kinabalu destroyed some of her brain cells. She took 2 months to fully recover!

Also it's a good idea to take lingzhi supplements during the climb. Lingzhi mushrooms (ganoderma lucidum) appears to increase the concentration of oxygen in your blood cells. This helps to prevent nausea and headaches on your way up.

Was up in Mt Kinabalu aka Mt Api in 1995, oh C'est la vie has given quite good tips one more to add, bring along wind breaker. Am positive you can make it if grandpa like me can do it am pretty sure a fit grandma like you 'mai mi pung har'.

Good thing we have to climb up early in the morning too dark to see the bottom so you don't freak out haha..Also was hungry at 3am and choosing to eat choc bar or to breathe as the air gets thinner so need to eat slowly. I breathed through my mouth as that would be faster than nose.

I was told that you just need to train for a month by climbing hills. After that, you can go to Mt. Kinabalu. I wanted to go many times but so far I have not done it. Go for it when you are still young!Oh, thanks for visiting my blog. Have a blessed week.

FoongPC - You funny man! Been to the foot of Mt Kinabalu only...! Why never climb up?... I will take your advice not to climb up until sick like your friend...BTW where is my prize? I have been waiting all my life....

Legolas - What another lazee fella like William? Wanna be God of 6 Packs but no exercise. Please don't forget my X'mas pressies!!!

Leon - Thanks for your wishes and I am still training myself by running the stairs and park 10 rounds!

SK Thambeee - Bring Chapati and mountain goat milk? You kidding me, LOL!!!! I also had problem to open my own blog, how silly! Of course SK is IT expert and know how to open with Fire Fox. Arumugam is really outdated la.

Wenn - You should try since you love outdoors too...

Bravebear - Hope Santa knows what is PSP. Ho ho ho ho!

fufu - I salute my hats to you! You are always ahead of anyone else in travelling and discovering places!

Pikey - I hope you will climb for once! Everyone told me the feeling is very great when you have reached the peak and you might cry too. After that you will come down a changed person! Dunno how true!

TZ - Santa said your X'mas wishes are crazy and he will go BANKRUPT soon! He knows you have been a good boy but you didn't do any charity???

BengBeng - I cannot compare with your lovely blogs promoting Sibu and Wushu! I am still learning from you la.... I also have my groin and knee pain but still going ahead. I guess the pain will never leave me.

Lily Riani - Just hop onto the plane and make it happen. See you there!

PoorPrince - Your country has so many lovely mountains and panoramic landscapes to explore. You should blog about them too. Hope you will take supplements daily to keep stay strong. Will miss your blogs when you are sick!

MKL - I have visited the lovely cool mountains in Taiwan and stayed once in a Buddhist Monastery in Nantou during a freezing Winter. I slept in the monks' quarters! It was a good experience and I love Taiwan very much esp Taichung..

William - I have less than a month left and I am so scared. Not enough training yet. Wish me good luck, will you? LOL